Here's what I've been up to!
May Report
I have been facilitating, hosting, and planning more Postgraduate Career Supercharger events, both in-person and online, to help bridge the information gap between students and industry. I am also working closely with UCL Careers to deliver more tailored career support for postgraduate students, ensuring the resources are relevant and impactful. A Job Market is also scheduled, giving students access to a variety of live vacancies.In addition, we offer a Rep-only online session, designed to help academic reps showcase the skills they have gained through their representative experience and apply them confidently in future opportunities.
Working on some exciting ELO opportunities for you in Term 3! With various formats, time, commitment and schedules available - there is something for everyone to get involved with! There are 4 categories on offer below:
1. Innovate and Create
2. Connect with Communities
3. Debate the Future
4. Supercharge Your Career
Attending some of the team-based problem solving activities provides a boost on students' CV
Met UCL ACC and we agreed on enhancing language support for international students, prioritising services supporting postgraduate academic writing, and developing a more engaging communications strategy.
How have I communicated with students in the past fortnight?
I have met with society and network committee members to coordinate and expand joint events as part of the Postgraduate Career Supercharger programme, which I am currently developing.
I have had 1-1 meetings with students to discuss their concerns and provide support.
I have engaged with PG student representatives to address specific issues, support their projects, and assist in organising community-building events, study sessions, career events for their cohorts.
I have actively participated in various SU activities, Attended all the zones – forums where policies are discussed by students and other elected officers. Joined a wide range of events, clubs, and societies, including supporting UCL Charity Swimathon + UCL Campus Run.
I have been communicating with students via email or 1v1 meetings, offering support and assisting them with their queries.
I hosted 5 more Postgraduate Career Supercharger events and the Academic Rep Conference where I always chat to as many students as possible.
My Priorities
- Masters students are empowered to enhance and confidently articulate their skills and experience to further their future employment and life chances.
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I have been facilitating, hosting, and planning more Postgraduate Career Supercharger events, both in-person and online, to help bridge the information gap between students and industry. I am also working closely with UCL Careers to deliver more tailored career support for postgraduate students, ensuring the resources are relevant and impactful. A Job Market is also scheduled, giving students access to a variety of live vacancies.
In addition, we offer a Rep-only online session, designed to help academic reps showcase the skills they have gained through their representative experience and apply them confidently in future opportunities.
A programme of Postgraduate Career Supercharger events has taken place and received amazing feedback.
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🔌 1. Postgraduate Career Supercharger: Networking Practice with Alumni 🚀
I hosted this Networking Practice with Alumni session to provide students with a practical opportunity to develop and demonstrate their networking skills in a safe, non-judgmental environment - with FREE refreshments provided.
It was designed to be introvert-friendly, giving students the chance to put their networking skills to the test in an in-person mixer with UCL students and alumni.
Students also had the opportunity to learn more about the alumni and their career stories through peer-led questions. At the beginning of the session, I shared golden networking tips. Towards the end, alumni reflected on common mistakes they’ve seen, offered solutions, and encouraged students to share their key takeaways with everyone.
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🔌 2. Postgraduate Career Supercharger X Tea Soc: How to Pitch Yourself to Employers in 1 Min 🍵 – Interview Skills Workshop 🚀
I co-facilitated this workshop, where participants enjoyed free authentic Chinese black tea and refreshments while learning how to pitch themselves to employers. Our speaker, Irene Veng—former KPMG management consultant and venture capitalist at Spartech Ventures—shared practical advice.
🎯 Objective:
To help students refine their personal branding and networking skills by practicing 60-second pitches, and to teach them how to connect effectively with mentors.
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🔌 3. Postgraduate Career Supercharger – CV and Interview Masterclass with a Seasoned Expert in Higher Education and Career Counselling 🍇🧀
After receiving feedback that many students prefer weekend sessions, I organised this masterclass on a weekend to accommodate those with busy schedules or caregiving responsibilities.
This session was designed to make Postgraduate Career Supercharger more accessible, and to support students with CV writing, interview preparation, and general career advice—giving them the edge they need.
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🔌 4. Hult Prize Student Startup Competition – Powered by Postgraduate Career Supercharger 🚀
I helped deliver the Hult Prize On-Campus Pitch Day at UCL, powered by the Postgraduate Career Supercharger programme I curated. It aimed to help students develop transferable skills, build confidence, and grow their networks.
🎯 What to Expect:
Inspiring pitches from student-led teams
Groundbreaking ideas tackling global challenges
Networking with like-minded innovators
A glimpse into the future of social entrepreneurship
🤩 Throughout the day, teams pitched visionary social enterprise ideas, each with just 4 minutes to present, followed by 4 minutes of Q\&A with our expert panel of judges.
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🔌 5. Postgraduate Career Supercharger X Women’s Network X International Students’ Network – Career Panel 💜
I also co-organised this career panel, where students heard from three inspiring alumni across higher education, renewable energy, and civil society sectors, along with a UCL public policy expert. They shared career journeys, job search strategies, and networking tips, with free refreshments provided.
This event was open to all UCL students, and especially welcoming to those who self-identify as women - while also inclusive of all allies 💜. - Academic Reps are engaged and empowered to represent students, who are listened to and work in partnership with staff to improve the learning experience.
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Planned and hosted the Academic Rep Conference, bringing together representatives to share insights and strengthen their impact.
Organised a series of Academic Rep social events to foster peer connections and community.
Contributed to the shortlisting process for the Academic Rep of the Year award.
Delivered a Rep-only online session designed to support reps in showcasing the skills they’ve gained through their Academic Rep experience and applying them to future opportunities. - Research students are supported and empowered in a thriving community where they feel they belong and are valued.
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Co-planned and co-facilitated Another round of Doctoral School Welcome Online Information Event – where I had digital and physical stalls and a Q&A session to tell our new PGR students what the SU is? and what we have to offer? How could I support them? How to join our research student network? How to become academic reps in their cohorts?
Meetings & Outcomes
- Union meetings attended and main outcomes
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3 Minute Thesis Event Working Group: Divided the workload and prepared for hosting the 3MT competition, which asks doctoral candidates to present their research in just three minutes, using language appropriate for non-specialists, and with only a single presentation slide to support them.
Term 3 Affiliations Panel: Voted on the societies to be approved in Term 3. Participated in discussions and final decision-making.
Academic Rep of the Year Panel: Participated in discussions and final decision-making. - UCL meetings attended and main outcomes
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Doctoral Researcher In-person Panel and Networking Event Working Group: Debriefed what went well and what could have been done differently with staff members from the Doctoral School.
In the actual event, I had a stall and hosted a Q&A session to introduce new PGR students to the Students’ Union UCL - what it is, what we offer, how we could support them, how to join our research student network, and how to become academic reps in their cohorts.
UCL 200’s Faces of UCL: Participated in the panel review for Alumni Faces of UCL and contributed to discussions and final decision-making.
SU and Academic Communications Centre (ACC): Agreed on enhancing language support for international students, prioritising services supporting postgraduate academic writing, and developing a more engaging communications strategy.
Sabbatical Officer Reports
Our Sabbatical Officers create a report every two weeks to inform our members. They believe that keeping everyone in the loop can foster a lively, supportive atmosphere where students feel encouraged to participate and share their ideas. These updates are a great way for them to share what's been happening, from their current projects to collaborations with different student groups, academic departments, and community organizations.
In each report, you can expect to find insights into the challenges they are tackling, the solutions they are implementing, and the positive impacts these efforts have on student life. From supporting engaging events and workshops to launching new programs that promote well-being and academic success, their initiatives are designed to enhance the overall campus experience.
- Read Darcy's Reports Here
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October: [No Report Submitted]
Postgraduate Officer - November Report 1
December: [No Report Due to Annual Leave]
January: [No Report Submitted]
Postgraduate Officer - February Report
March: [No Report Submitted]
April: [No Report Submitted]
Voting Record
As democratic leaders, all Sabbatical Officers must maintain transparency in their work. Below is a record of the voting on policies introduced during the academic year 2024-2025 and how Darcy has voted. Please note that Sabbatical Officers do not participate in all Zones and, therefore, do not vote on every policy.
| Policy Zone Votes | Zone | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| The Union should lobby UCL to expand Project Period into a university-wide initiative | WCZ | For |
| The Union should create a "Commuters' officer" role | WCZ | No Vote |
| Change to the Structure of the Sports Rep System | AZ | For |
| Ban fossil fuel companies from sponsoring clubs and societies | AZ | No Vote |
| Improved transport links for UCL East students | WCZ | For |
| Active Bystander & Consent Training | AZ | No Vote |
| The Union should internally regulate all media societies via the IPSO code | AZ | No Vote |
| The Union should support the Fossil Free Careers Campaign | EZ | For |
| Lobby UCL to conduct an institution-wide review of academic curriculums for inclusivity and gender equity | EZ | For |
| Union Executive Votes | Type of Vote | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| The Union should lobby UCL to expand Project Period into a university-wide initiative | Ratification | For |
| International Student Officer to have Membership of All Zones & Union Executive | Ratification | For |
| The Union should create a "Commuters' officer" role | Amendment to Governing Document | For |
| Change to the Structure of the Sports Rep System | Amendment to Governing Document | For |
| Active Bystander and Consent Training | Ratification | For |
| The Union should internally regulate all media societies via the IP | Ratification | For |
| Ban fossil fuel companies from sponsoring clubs and societies | Ratification | For |
| Lobby for UCL-Wide Review of Academic Curriculums for Inclusivity and Gender Equity | Ratification | For |
| Support the Fossils Free Careers Campaign | Ratification | For |
| Improved transport links for UCL East students | Ratification | For |
| Explaining the History of Phineas Bar | Policy | For |
These voting records were last updated on 4 March 2025.
Meetings & Committees I Attend:
- Activities Zone.
- Education Zone.
- Welfare and Community Zone.
- Union Executive.
- Board of Trustees and committees.
- Students' Union Leadership Team.
- UCL Academic Board.
- UCL Academic Committee.
- UCL Education Committee.
- UCL Library Committee.
- UCL Quality & Standards Committee.
- UCL Research Degrees Committee.
- UCL Research, Innovation and Global Engagement Committee.
- UCL Equality Monitoring and Advancement Group.
- UCL Open Science & Scholarship Committee.
- UCL Research Ethics Change Advisory Group.
- UCL Bibliometrics Working Group.